Former Navy SEAL Gives Perfect Explanation Why Veterans Disagree With National Anthem Protests

Many veterans have not taken kindly to Nike’s new ad campaign featuring unemployed quarterback Colin Kaepernick, and for good reason: he, and many other NFL players, are using their First Amendment rights to spit in the face of law enforcement and disrespect our country that so many have lost their lives defending.

Unfortunately, the irony of the NFL national anthem protests is lost on many liberals. Thankfully, former Navy SEAL and Bottle Breacher CEO, Eli Crane, perfectly explained exactly why so many Americans and veterans disagree with the national anthem protests.

In a Facebook video for IJR Red, Crane explained that it’s not the protests themselves that have so many Americans upset, but the way they’re being done:

“I can’t speak for all veterans, but I know I speak for some when I say it’s not the protest for us; it’s the way you guys are doing it,” Crane said, speaking directly to NFL athletes. “I want to remind you guys that we understand you guys have PR people, agents, some of you have publicists who would be very happy to help you get your message out there. And I can tell you that nobody will fight harder to defend and protect your right to your freedom of speech like those of us in the veteran community and those of us on active duty.”

In other words, it’s veterans that have given these rich, privileged NFL players the right to protest, and they’re choosing to use those rights to disrespect the very people who work the hardest to protect those freedoms.

Watch Crane’s full comments below.

This is not the first time Crane has spoken out against the NFL anthem protests – and he’s always done so with dignity and grace. In July, he explained that veterans fought not just for one group of people, but “for the freedoms and liberties of all Americans.”

He also poignantly reminded protesting athletes that too many of his brothers in arms never made it home from fighting that fight. “It doesn’t help that several of my brothers will never watch another game, either. Not because they are pissed like I am, because they are dead. They came home covered by this very flag. If you’ve never stood up and said “send me,” you might not understand how it feels to see others take a knee,” he said.

Unfortunately, NFL players don’t care about how their actions look to others. They only care about making a statement for themselves – and getting rewarded for it.

By Ann

Ann is a conservative political blogger whose work has appeared on Bleacher Report and America Liberty PAC. Nothing angers... More about Ann

Mentioned in this article: